In Praise of the oTENTik
Part tent, part cabin makes camping more accessible
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Despite what felt like an exceptionally rainy June, I’ve already been on two different camping trips with my two-year-old and four-month-old.
My secret?
Parks Canada’s oTENTiks.
I’d never given much thought to these structures — there are more than 400 oTENTiks at 30 locations across the country — until I had kids.
Now I’m keen to sing their praises.
Read on.
The structures are part tent, part A-frame cabin and were first introduced by Parks Canada in 2013. They have wood floors, canvas walls, a heater, lights, table, chairs, and sleeping area, which comfortably sleeps six.
Much like other forms of comfort camping (Alberta Parks offers cabins, yurts and tents) oTENTiks make camping earlier in the season or on rainy/cold days much more enjoyable.
They also serve as a great stepping stone for anyone intimidated by camping.
Perhaps surprisingly, that was me (Annalise) a few weeks ago. Despite years spent as an avid camper, backpacker and boler-er (is that a word?), the thought of taking two little kids camping for two nights while I continue to recover from major trauma was just a tad bit overwhelming.
Past me (read pre-delivering-a-baby me) had booked several camping, glamping and backpacking trips this summer when reservations opened in January.
The first was an oTENTik at Two Jack Lakeside Campground at the beginning of June. (The campsite has 74 sites and then an additional 10 oTENTiks.)
It’s worth noting, this is a hard reservation to get! I’d never been to Two Jack Lake before and highly recommend it. It’s a beautiful spot that’s just over an hour from Calgary, and 10 minutes from the town of Banff. The lake is accessible from the campground and perfect for paddleboarding.
As the date neared, I had my doubts about the logistics of camping with such a young baby and felt overwhelmed about the sheer amount of stuff needed to glamp for two nights as a family of four. (This despite car camping and backpacking with a little guy the previous two summers.)
In the end, my husband, boys and I went for one night. We enjoyed our time at Two Jack so much that I came home and set an alert for oTENTik cancellations. We were back less than two weeks later, this time with our paddleboard, and my in-laws (who, it’s worth noting, had not been camping in years.)
I love anything that helps make the outdoors more accessible, and I think the oTENTiks really hit the mark here. They’re small and cozy but having heat and raised beds makes a big difference for young and old alike.
Campers still need to bring their own bedding, cooking equipment (including a stove) and supplies. Each oTENTik comes with a large outdoor food locker and food or drink is not allowed inside the tent.
In addition to the Two Jake site, in Banff National Park, there are also oTENTiks at the Tunnel Mtn. Village II (pictured below from a trip last summer). In Alberta, the other oTENTik locations are in Jasper National Park and Elk Island National Park.
When Parks Canada introduced oTENTiks just over a decade ago, they touted them as a great option for those uncomfortable with traditional camping.
If this is you, I encourage you to give one a try!
Yes, they’re in demand and hard to book but because these glampers are pricey (in the scheme of camping), the chance of snagging a cancellation (like I did) is possible.
While a night at the Two Jack Lakeside campsite will cost you $30.50 plus $11.00 per day for a fire permit, the OTENTiks at Two Jack are $133.25 plus the $11.00 per day fire permit.
